Daily devotion – a chance to abide
On Sunday in our study through the Book of Ephesians we examined Paul’s prayer for those at Ephesus, and you and I, to know God more.
Jesus had said, “If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you…you will ask what you desire and it shall be done for you…” John 15:7
The word ‘abide’ means to be at home in. The Psalmist did not say, “Thy Word have I hid in my mind” or even “in my memory”. No he said, “Thy Word have I hid in my heart…” – Psalm 119:11
Paul echoed him when he prayed in Ephesians 3:17, “That Christ may dwell in your hearts…..”
Why does the Lord want Himself and His Word to abide in our hearts and not just our minds?
Because, affected by information overload and worldly chatter, the mind is incredibly fickle. I can change my mnd 100 times in a single day concerning a single issue. So can you – but not so the heart.
This is why the Lord wants His Word to dwell there.
How does this happen?
The most practical way knowledge moves from our head to our heart is through meditation and contemplation. Not meditation as eastern religions teach, but here meditation is thinking over and over what God’s Word says – it’s the picture of a cow chewing its cud. Getting all the goodness out of the meal.
Spend time – there’s that key word again – time, – in God’s Word. Take it with you wherever you go. Either on your phone or as I prefer, the good old printed Bible. There is always a moment made available that I can open it and sit with God with it, in the most remarkable of places. It’s a real joy then to have to wait!
But at home, especially in your morning and evening devotions, in corporate study – there will be time where God will make available to you a chance to abide..!
Abide in your heart this week. Enjoy time in His Word with Him. Fill your heart with His Word and it will change your life every time you do this!